Well, I presume we can agree this is going incredibly poorly.
With the investigations slowing and the accusations quickening, the game becomes one of numbers, not intelligence.
I suggest we rule out Tony, Stephen (accused in desperation by the vilest of our number), Wanda (abilities unlinked to the Diamond attacks), Jem (who has been threatening other members of the Hearts, presumably to draw fire from Danny). Additionally, I’m disinclined to support the accusation against Buffy Summers due to the use of… a greatsword? Scythe? Her brute strength would surely be the tell, in a crime she committed.
I suggest we coordinate our votes to ensure Saber and a Diamond are sent to the cage, leaving us with Danny, Armand, August, and any we ourselves would put forward.
On the other Diamonds: • A case has been made for Devon on Jinx’s post. Please read through it. • Ren may be employing the same tactic as Jem, in targeting the Yellowjackets, given her public upset over the Devon accusation. Do we know anything more about the nature of her superior strength?
Edited (and ANOTHER THING, more haterade) 2025-10-07 07:19 (UTC)
[ Somewhat embarrassed about the whole martyrdom thing not working out. But MOVING ON. ]
We're really going to believe this he-said-she-said about the Diamond attacker? We don't even have a name for the source. Doesn't seem like enough to justify putting someone in a cage.
I am, yes. I agree with Stephen’s theory about the rumours being linked to a game role. Additionally, they’ve emerged from two separate teams, Hearts and Clubs, at two separate times, so it isn’t a concentrated effort against the Diamonds.
In any case, the maths suggest each team has one to two wolves. A game requires balance and rules to be played.
You may reread my missive for the term “fair” at your leisure.
I think it cruel. I do not think it wholly disordered, particularly when the Shepherd speaks of it as anything but.
Are you so concerned for the people of this place? You’ve voted for yourself, when we have two known killers on trial — one of whom has made his intent to kill outside the game evident, tortured Jake to near death, and threatened your companion.
I have a name for one source, though their source is an overheard villager they wouldn't be able to identify. Which would be suspicious, but I've checked in with a contact for the source in the hearts, who says that person gained their information the exact same way.
It's a pattern that backs up the possibility of a game role. In which case, we need to pay attention.
I don't buy Devon. Those who know him and his skillset well don't seem to think him physically capable of the Castiel murder they're attributing to him. The only real connection seems to be the fleshworker angle, and that's close to nothing. If those tools are unguarded at night, anyone could take them.
Danny's a diamond, seems capable of Castiel's murder in both strength and a described tendency for symbolic brutality and enjoyment of the act of killing, and is a risk regardless, for the similar reasons as Saber is.
If we want to avoid a wasted vote, this is a safe protective measure that gives us time to look more closely into our other questions.
Happy to strike Devon from the list, for the reasons discussed.
I agree about Danny. See my note to Koby on previous known killings below. I’d be comfortable with him as our reserve, if no further information becomes available.
Actually, in comparison to last year it's going slightly better? This time last year it was an all-out screaming fight, but thus far only two people have been punched.
[progress! morale boost!]
If our diamonds options are Armand, Danny, Devon or August, as far as physical strength goes my money is August or Danny. I find it equally suspicious that the two drained of blood -- Paul and Giles -- do not seem to have been fed from, which, according to a close companion of Armand’s, is near-impossible for vampires of that world.
I don't want our votes to fall in line with any prejudices -- against vampires or those who've committed past crimes. That destroys our credibility nearly as neatly as bickering in public would.
[looking DIRECTLY at you, stephen and tony.]
With the votes ending tonight -- who among all our allies would vote with us? My crew is three people, plus my boyfriend, plus Tim, possibly.
I, perhaps more than anyone here, would like to see all vampires exonerated for my beloved’s sake. Unfortunately, Giles was bitten in addition to being clawed, which could indicate he was fed from, at least partially. Spike inspected him and wouldn’t rule it out, as a vampire himself.
And with respect, past crimes are highly relevant when we are comparing the modus operandi of our killers. Is Castiel’s killing not in line with the attempts on Alina’s life last year and the murder of Embry in the church before the games? Both perpetrated by Danny Johnson, according to the notes you and Astarion have shared with me.
For numbers, Shadowheart, Astarion, and I are of the same world, and in alignment (3). Additionally, Astarion has been invited into a chat with all the vampires, where they have indicated their intent to close ranks and protect their own, if they don’t fall to infighting. I would say we can persuade 3 therein with confidence, though not if we favour Armand.
Interesting. Spike is also a Diamond, and has reason to hate Armand, for what it's worth. Vampiric rules do differ from one universe to the other...
And I agree entirely, Mr. Gale, if the evidence points to a past murderer or a vampire, I will trust in that evidence. I simply do not want those prejudices to be the only motivating factor, like they were last year. I want us to do better, this time.
Bearing in mind previous murders, yes, Danny's followed that same MO. My vote is squarely against Saber, as is Ani and Shadowheart's, but I do think this council should divvy our attentions between two, and no further.
A vampire chat? That's good. They'll be unfairly scrutinized and they should also stand as one. I consider Astarion a friend, along with Louis and Lestat. I don't want to see any of them unjustly accused.
The Yellowjackets will be targeting Devon imminently. I don't imagine we'll be able to persuade them to look elsewhere; it's simply wise to note where a voting bloc will stack.
They’re young and afraid. And having once been in a Charms tutorial composed entirely of teenage girls, I believe them to be far more fearsome than one would imagine.
[ i fear women out of respect ]
I see no point in intervening. It could be smoke and mirrors for both parties — Ren and Devon as well as the Yellowjackets. Regardless, it’s predictable and ultimately unrelated to our investigations.
You mentioned Jackie, earlier. Does she hold any sway within the group? I doubt we can change their minds this round, but it would be useful to know if we can rely on their numbers in the future.
so that's 4 locked in for saber. me, koby, jake, heart. 4 of us left.
i'm not sold on any of our second round draft picks, fwiw. i have no idea what kinda blame game august and buffy are playing. devon's a snitch, but i'm not buying the theory about him. hawkins fuller's been spewing some vile shit at me for putting embry's name down - danny's a good scapegoat to ride off into the sunset. he'd stoop real low to take the heat off of embry.
doesn't make danny innocent of everything else, tho. like the doc up there said, he's still a fucking psycho. so if we're gonna vote by harm reduction, i'd swing for him. doubt anything better is gonna come out
My vote also goes to Saber, but I'll hang back to make sure the second cage is reserved for Danny before placing it. He can have it if it looks like he's in danger of falling into third place.
keeping the scope trained on saber might be the move. don't want him to get off free cause of devon guess the feral pack of teenage girls have got more push than i counted on
August would prefer to martyr himself than do harm to anyone. As I’ve said, he remains dear to me.
However, he is a Diamond, an accomplished witch, a summoner of demons, and a practitioner of blood magics most foul. His “god” or devilish master, as you might know Him, would savour the suffering Castiel has endured, above all.
I’ve spoken with him, and he doubts himself more than he does Buffy. If he were possessed of a role which exonerated him, he would reveal it to me.
I do not think him like to use weaponry over spells and yet I cannot be certain of his innocence, either. My apologies.
[ for his fallibility. for not revealing the extent of his knowledge until now. ]
You're aware we lack the time and the votes to act upon this information, this round, and that August's credibility as a suspect has suffered from his and Buffy's counteraccusations.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
@gawain — j’accuse recap 7/10.
With the investigations slowing and the accusations quickening, the game becomes one of numbers, not intelligence.
I suggest we rule out Tony, Stephen (accused in desperation by the vilest of our number), Wanda (abilities unlinked to the Diamond attacks), Jem (who has been threatening other members of the Hearts, presumably to draw fire from Danny). Additionally, I’m disinclined to support the accusation against Buffy Summers due to the use of… a greatsword? Scythe? Her brute strength would surely be the tell, in a crime she committed.
I suggest we coordinate our votes to ensure Saber and a Diamond are sent to the cage, leaving us with Danny, Armand, August, and any we ourselves would put forward.
On the other Diamonds:
• A case has been made for Devon on Jinx’s post. Please read through it.
• Ren may be employing the same tactic as Jem, in targeting the Yellowjackets, given her public upset over the Devon accusation. Do we know anything more about the nature of her superior strength?
no subject
We're really going to believe this he-said-she-said about the Diamond attacker? We don't even have a name for the source. Doesn't seem like enough to justify putting someone in a cage.
no subject
[ this is absolutely a dig. ]
I am, yes. I agree with Stephen’s theory about the rumours being linked to a game role. Additionally, they’ve emerged from two separate teams, Hearts and Clubs, at two separate times, so it isn’t a concentrated effort against the Diamonds.
In any case, the maths suggest each team has one to two wolves. A game requires balance and rules to be played.
no subject
no subject
I think it cruel. I do not think it wholly disordered, particularly when the Shepherd speaks of it as anything but.
Are you so concerned for the people of this place? You’ve voted for yourself, when we have two known killers on trial — one of whom has made his intent to kill outside the game evident, tortured Jake to near death, and threatened your companion.
no subject
It's a pattern that backs up the possibility of a game role. In which case, we need to pay attention.
no subject
(no subject)
no subject
I suggest we keep tabs on the numbers of each role in play. In the previous games, a Wolf feigned the role of Seer to save themselves from the gaol.
no subject
Danny's a diamond, seems capable of Castiel's murder in both strength and a described tendency for symbolic brutality and enjoyment of the act of killing, and is a risk regardless, for the similar reasons as Saber is.
If we want to avoid a wasted vote, this is a safe protective measure that gives us time to look more closely into our other questions.
no subject
I agree about Danny. See my note to Koby on previous known killings below. I’d be comfortable with him as our reserve, if no further information becomes available.
@percival
[progress! morale boost!]
If our diamonds options are Armand, Danny, Devon or August, as far as physical strength goes my money is August or Danny. I find it equally suspicious that the two drained of blood -- Paul and Giles -- do not seem to have been fed from, which, according to a close companion of Armand’s, is near-impossible for vampires of that world.
I don't want our votes to fall in line with any prejudices -- against vampires or those who've committed past crimes. That destroys our credibility nearly as neatly as bickering in public would.
[looking DIRECTLY at you, stephen and tony.]
With the votes ending tonight -- who among all our allies would vote with us? My crew is three people, plus my boyfriend, plus Tim, possibly.
no subject
And with respect, past crimes are highly relevant when we are comparing the modus operandi of our killers. Is Castiel’s killing not in line with the attempts on Alina’s life last year and the murder of Embry in the church before the games? Both perpetrated by Danny Johnson, according to the notes you and Astarion have shared with me.
For numbers, Shadowheart, Astarion, and I are of the same world, and in alignment (3). Additionally, Astarion has been invited into a chat with all the vampires, where they have indicated their intent to close ranks and protect their own, if they don’t fall to infighting. I would say we can persuade 3 therein with confidence, though not if we favour Armand.
no subject
And I agree entirely, Mr. Gale, if the evidence points to a past murderer or a vampire, I will trust in that evidence. I simply do not want those prejudices to be the only motivating factor, like they were last year. I want us to do better, this time.
Bearing in mind previous murders, yes, Danny's followed that same MO. My vote is squarely against Saber, as is Ani and Shadowheart's, but I do think this council should divvy our attentions between two, and no further.
A vampire chat? That's good. They'll be unfairly scrutinized and they should also stand as one. I consider Astarion a friend, along with Louis and Lestat. I don't want to see any of them unjustly accused.
no subject
no subject
👍
[
@gawain — addendum.
@guinevere
stinks of revenge, if you ask me
no subject
[ i fear women out of respect ]
I see no point in intervening. It could be smoke and mirrors for both parties — Ren and Devon as well as the Yellowjackets. Regardless, it’s predictable and ultimately unrelated to our investigations.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Cw: emeto
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
@merlin
I doubt we can change their minds this round, but it would be useful to know if we can rely on their numbers in the future.
not here.
not here x2.
@ guinevere
i'm not sold on any of our second round draft picks, fwiw. i have no idea what kinda blame game august and buffy are playing. devon's a snitch, but i'm not buying the theory about him. hawkins fuller's been spewing some vile shit at me for putting embry's name down - danny's a good scapegoat to ride off into the sunset. he'd stoop real low to take the heat off of embry.
doesn't make danny innocent of everything else, tho. like the doc up there said, he's still a fucking psycho. so if we're gonna vote by harm reduction, i'd swing for him. doubt anything better is gonna come out
no subject
no subject
guess the feral pack of teenage girls have got more push than i counted on
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
not here
@gawain
However, he is a Diamond, an accomplished witch, a summoner of demons, and a practitioner of blood magics most foul. His “god” or devilish master, as you might know Him, would savour the suffering Castiel has endured, above all.
I’ve spoken with him, and he doubts himself more than he does Buffy. If he were possessed of a role which exonerated him, he would reveal it to me.
I do not think him like to use weaponry over spells and yet I cannot be certain of his innocence, either. My apologies.
[ for his fallibility. for not revealing the extent of his knowledge until now. ]
no subject
You're aware we lack the time and the votes to act upon this information, this round, and that August's credibility as a suspect has suffered from his and Buffy's counteraccusations.
(no subject)
no subject